Penticton city council gets first look at marijuana regulations framework | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Penticton city council gets first look at marijuana regulations framework

Penticton City Council heard the initial results of a public engagement process on rules for non-medical cannabis sales in the city today, July 3, 2018.
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PENTICTON - Setting up an application process for non-medical cannabis retail outlets is turning out to be a tricky process for the City of Penticton.

A first look at where city residents want to go with recreational cannabis sales in Penticton was unveiled to council this afternoon, July 3, as staff reviewed the first phase of a public engagement process over the issue of retail outlets.

Planning manger Blake Laven told council the application process was the most difficult part of constructing a recreational cannabis framework, noting today’s presentation represented a start to the process that would be seeing further consultation before coming back to council for final approval.

Staff expect to have more details on the application process following the completion of the provincial application process, expected early this summer.

Laven said retailers applying for a permit to sell non-medical cannabis would likely be part of an initial “intake” expected to take place between Oct. 17 and Nov. 14.

He said applicants would not be taken on a first come, first served basis, but would rather be presented to council using a merit-based approach that will take a number of factors into account including location, appearance, strength of the business plan and the fit with the community.

The federal government recently announced marijuana would be legalized on Oct. 17. The City of Penticton has been engaging residents since late March regarding how the city should handle its control and responsibilities of the product when it becomes legal.

Community engagement specialist JoAnne Kleb said 1,056 surveys were filled out during the public consultation. She said most everyone surveyed agreed the city should allow recreational cannabis sales.

Calling the framework a “starting point for discussion,” Kleb noted residents were in favour of limiting the number of retail locations and their proximity to schools. Residents also showed a desire to cap the number of outlets, and for the city to restrict the hours of operation.

Staff recommendations included proposals as limiting operating hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, implementing exclusion zones around schools, the 100 to 300 blocks of Main Street and Front Street, and restricting public consumption to private property, such as backyards and front yards, and outdoor concerts.

Coun. Campbell Watt said he wanted to see some exclusion zones, but not a complete cap.

“I’m saying that because fair business is fair business, and if this is legal, like cigarettes are, I think the marketplace should dictate this,” he said.

Laven says the proposed exclusion zones were included as a starting point to have some control for the first few years at least.

“Maybe the exclusion and buffer zones go away as time goes on,” he said.

Council accepted the survey results and endorsed the framework.

City staff’s next move will be initiating phase two of the public engagement strategy. A final recommendation is expected to come before council prior to the Oct. 17 legalization date.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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